Contemporary dance is a genre of dance performance that developed during the mid-twentieth century

When we think about contemporary dance, we're really thinking about the evolution of ballet. Rigid ballet structures turn into something looser and more emotive, and this new creative freedom brings a rainbow of different styles and influences to incorporate. Let's take a look at how modern dance- and our own sensibilities- have brought together creators across generations to build on each others work.

Isadora Duncan's Revolutionary Movement

**Angela Isadora Duncan** (May 26, 1877 – September 14, 1927) was an American-born dancer and choreographer

Before the official birth of contemporary dance, there was Isadora Duncan, often hailed as the mother of modern dance. In the early 1900s, Duncan advocated for natural and expressive movement. She often performed in flowing costumes and bare feet, symbolizing her freedom from traditional dance norms. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Duncan's use of emotional expression and natural movement laid the groundwork for the evolution of dance.

Duncan moved away from the rigidity of classical ballet, and in doing so inspired a generation of dancers to explore more natural and emotive forms of movement. Duncan's philosophy resonated with later pioneers like Martha Graham and Doris Humphrey, who each developed their own distinct contemporary dance techniques and styles of dance.

Graham, with her focus on the expressive capabilities of the human body, created the Graham technique, emphasizing contraction and release. Meanwhile, Humphrey's interest in the nuances of human motion led to her principle of "fall and recovery," exploring the dynamics of balance and instability.

The Graham Method and Merce Cunningham

From Learning to Leading as a Contemporary Choreographers

**Martha Graham** (May 11, 1894 – April 1, 1991), Mercier Philip **"Merce" Cunningham** (April 16, 1919 – July 26, 2009)

Martha Graham, who started her work in the 1920s and continued through the mid-twentieth century, developed The Graham technique, a cornerstone of modern dance. Her work was known for its expressive and dramatic qualities, and the use of muscle contractions and release to convey emotions. The Graham technique reshaped American dance and is still taught worldwide.

Merce Cunningham, a student of Martha Graham, diverged from his mentor's emotional expressiveness to make his mark in the 1940s through the randomness and abstract nature of movement. He introduced the idea of chance in choreography, changing the landscape of dance forever. Notably, many dancers who trained with Cunningham formed their own companies.

Paul Taylor's Lyrical Dance

**Paul Belville Taylor Jr.** (July 29, 1930 – August 29, 2018)

Paul Taylor was a student of both Graham and Cunningham, who went on to develop a style that blended his two mentors' schools of thought with his own passion for musicality and fresh storytelling. His choreography was known for being musical and fluid. Taylor is noted for his unique gift of combining the storytelling abilities of Graham's technique with the structural and spatial awareness seen in Cunningham's work.

Taylor's work is marked by his ability to infuse traditional stories with our contemporary sensibilities, blending the old with the new in a way that makes every piece feel fresh. His work not only continued the legacy of his predecessors but also expanded the possibilities of expression within modern dance.

Twyla Tharp's Blending of Styles

Athleticism and Popular Culture Pushing Boundaries

Twyla Tharp began her choreographic career in the late 1960s. By this time, Graham had solidified her legacy, and Cunningham was in the midst of advancing his innovative ideas. Tharp's choreography often pushed the boundaries of contemporary dance. Her approach was innovative, much like Cunningham's, but with a distinct focus on blending rather than abstracting dance forms. Her choreography reflects an understanding and appreciation of Graham's emotional depth and Cunningham's abstraction and experimentalism. Along with all of that, she also brought a new level of athleticism, incorporated elements of popular culture, and explored the fusion of dance with other media. Busy lady!

Horton and Ailey: Diversity on the West Coast

At the same time that the East Coast's dance scene was dominated by the introspective and experimental dance styles of Graham and Cunningham, the West Coast had their own teacher-and-student pioneers of contemporary dance.

Les Horton and his student Alvin Ailey were busy breaking new ground with their physically dynamic and culturally resonant dance forms. While Horton brought together a diverse blend of styles and cultures, his student Ailey's work was groundbreaking in its emphasis on African-American experiences and cultural narratives.

Lester Horton

**Lester Iradell Horton** (January 23, 1906 – November 2, 1953)

Lester Horton was an American dancer and choreographer whose unique dance technique, known as the Horton technique, left massive footprints in the genre. Horton's work was pioneering in its inclusivity, showcasing racially diverse casts at a time when this was not the norm in America. Spanning from the 1920s to the early 1950s, his is technique emphasized a strong and flexible torso, long lines, and fluid movements. It melded a world of different influences, including Native American dances, Southeast Asian movements with elements of ballet and modern contemporary dance.

Alvin Ailey

In turn, Horton's student Alvin Ailey was an African-American dancer, director, choreographer, and activist who eventually founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He is credited with popularizing modern dance and revolutionizing African-American participation in 20th-century contemporary dance programs. Established in 1958, Ailey's dance company became a platform for expressing the African-American experience through dance, incorporating both modern and jazz elements, while providing performance opportunities to minorities on the west coast.

Influencing a Movement: Delsarte and the Origins of Expression

Earlier in our discussion, we recognized Isadora Duncan as the mother of modern dance. It's worth mentioning, though, that François Delsarte, who lived a generation earlier, played a key role in shaping how dance evolved.

Delsarte, working in the mid-1800s, created a method for actors and singers, with a simple idea: emotions could be shown through specific movements and poses. This method was meant to help actors and singers show their feelings more clearly in their performances. Over time, these ideas spread to various places in the United States, where Duncan likely came across them. Delsarte wasn't a dancer, but his focus on showing feelings through movement laid the groundwork for the kind of dance that Isadora Duncan became famous for.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Did Contemporary Dance Start?

In the early 20th century, many dancers felt restricted by the strict rules of classical ballet. They wanted a way to express themselves more freely and reflect the changing world around them. Contemporary dance really began to take shape in the 1950s and 1960s.

During this time, the world was experiencing significant cultural and social changes, and this was reflected in the arts, including dance.

What's the Best Way to Learn Contemporary Dance?

The best way to learn contemporary dance is to find a fantastic local dance school that teaches classes. While it can be a great experience learning online or through videos, having a trained and experienced teacher on hand can keep you safe from injury, help you develop good habits and form early, and help you get to whatever skill level you're dreaming of.

Moving with the Times: Key Players in Contemporary Dance